Rates of Payment

Special rules for terminal illness awards are ongoing without review. There will be no review period and an individual remains eligible unless they have informed Social Security Scotland that their circumstances have changed.

The rate of Scottish Adult DLA that an individual is entitled to is dependent on whether they meet the criteria set out in the Scottish Adult DLA regulations.

Scottish Adult DLA has two components: the care component and the mobility component. The care component has three rates: lowest, middle and highest. The mobility component has two rates: lower and higher (Scottish Adult DLA Regs, Reg 29(1)(2)).

Individuals who are terminally ill and are entitled to Scottish Adult DLA automatically get the highest rate of entitlement for the care component (Scottish Adult DLA regs, reg. 20(1)).

Individuals who become terminally ill before reaching the ‘relevant age’ and are entitled to Scottish Adult DLA automatically get the higher rate of entitlement for the mobility component (Scottish Adult DLA regs, reg. 20(2)(a)).

‘Relevant age’ means state pension age, or 65, whichever is higher (Scottish Adult DLA regs, reg.2)

Individuals who become terminally ill after reaching the relevant age whilst entitled to Scottish Adult DLA continue to receive the mobility component at the rate they received prior to reaching the relevant age (Scottish Adult DLA regs, reg. 20(2)(b)).